I awoke at a decent hour which was such a relief. Waking and already starting to think at 5am was becoming a bit of a drag. Later when I thought about my lovely wake time I wondered: could it in fact be the amount of wine I drank last night and not that my mind and body was calmer?...oh well.

Travis Junction Life Centre is the place I have chosen to worship. It is small, community based and the people are so real and so friendly. It's not trendy, fashionable or flashy, just really down to earth, comfortable, spirit-filled and I feel like I belong. Ahhh...at last...it's been a long search.

After some of my delicious leftover risotto (made for the very first time last night because I have never really liked risotto - flavourless and stodgy - this one was not either of those things and I am so proud of myself!), and a little moe, Kev and I took a drive to the city centre.

We walked and familiarised ourselves with a 'new normal' CBD that is totally unrecognisable - so unrecognisable that I got quite disorientated and lost. I felt a mixture of emotions throughout the afternoon - grief, frustration, disappointment, amazement, confusion, resignation, relief, peace, and hope. Not always in that order and definitely some were revisited more than others. Madras Street was opened this weekend, which is where the tragic CTV building was. We stopped for awhile at the perimeter and...well, nothing, just stopped, stood, looked, and thought about those who lost their lives here and those they left behind.

As the sun sets, I am again grateful for an affordable house that we can live in without fear of horrendous rent increases, or owners wanting to move back in. I am mindful, and grateful that, for this season, Kev and I are able to have days like these because we don't have children yet and can just please ourselves. I am grateful that Kev and I spent some time together in the sun. And I am very grateful that I have a God that knows the bigger picture and I can put my fears, worries and questions into His hands, and know that He holds me too.

I love hearing you thoughts from the day. Your church sounds wonderful. I would love to find someplace like that. I also really appreciated your words at the end there - "And I am very grateful that I have a God that knows the bigger picture and I can put my fears, worries and questions into His hands, and know that He holds me too." - So true, and so good to hear. ♥

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About

I am a creative, fun-loving 30-something woman, lover of Christ, wife, friend, and teacher, living in Christchurch New Zealand. Married to a gorgeous man who is studying to be a brilliant mathematician. Creative releases include cooking, art of all kinds, and making things. Forever on a journey.